As fires continue to threaten large parts of NSW Google has today launched a Crisis Map and Google Public Alerts to help users stay informed during the fire season.

Google’s Crisis Map displays current information about where fires are burning while Public Alerts shows people fire information on Google Search and Maps, and notifies smartphone users of fire warnings if they’re in a fire-affected area.

Google Public Alerts provides accurate and relevant emergency alerts when and where people need them. People using Google Maps or Google Search may see relevant bushfire alerts from the NSW Rural Fire Service if they’re looking up a related place or term. With Google Now on smartphones, Google can alert people automatically if a bushfire is nearby and provide important information such as evacuation instructions.

The notifications, currently only operational in NSW, are available from today, along with the Google Crisis Map, a map that lets people see the location, size and status of any bushfire threats. During and after emergency responses to fires, authorities can add information to the map including shelter locations, evacuation areas and where to find vital services.

The Google Crisis Map is also available for bushfire information in QLD, SA, TAS and the ACT, and Google Public Alerts is only available in NSW. The company said it would be working with authorities in all states and territories to further roll out the services.